5

It is not to be assumed, of course, that all the Assembly's decisions were beyond criticism. In a number of instances, for example, there was apparent what could only be described as a marked lack of that sense of responsibility which is so essential in the work of a body such as the Assembly. This was conspicuously the case in respect of the decision on Palestine. In the opinion of the New Zealand delegation and of many others the Assembly, if it assumed the right—as we agreed it should—to decide on the partition of Palestine, should unquestionably, and, at the same time, have assumed the duty of implementing that decision and of protecting the population of Palestine against any violence or disorder that might result from the situation the Assembly itself had created, and should have made proper and timely preparations accordingly. This it failed to do. But, speaking generally, the Assembly, with this important exception, did show a high sense <of responsibility in all matters of fundamental importance. And the Assembly has obviously lost all illusions as to the magnitude and the difficulty of the tasks that lie before it. It has proved that the gravity of these problems is now fully and generally recognized and that the Assembly is determined to place its feet firmly on the path to world peace and to tread that path, uphill as it may be, with resolution and determination. There were many among the delegations who were dismayed at the heat and the violence of a number of the Assembly's debates. For my part, while I shared that dismay, I am more inclined to look upon the manner in which the Assembly met these crises. From that point of view, from the aspect of the determination it displayed to face its problems and to solve them as appeared best and not merely to play with words or search for a broad and meaningless formula, I found this Assembly most definitely encouraging. The fact that I was elected Chairman of the Fourth (Trusteeship) Committee—an honour to New Zealand which could not be refused—added very seriously to the burden placed upon the whole of the New Zealand delegation. We were, naturally, small in number, and, of course, we had to cover exactly the same ground as all other delegations, many of them very much larger. Every member of the delegation worked both hard and well. Mr Thorn, as the New Zealand representative on the Economic and Social Council, assumed the responsibility for all the work of Committees